Mirror

Unknown

ca. 1550–1458 B.C. · Bronze or copper alloy · Egyptian Art

This was cast in two pieces and a tang at the bottom of the disk was inserted into the handle and held in place with a rivet. The handle is in the form of a stylized papyrus plant, a symbol of creative female power, and brings to mind the papyrus swamp, which in Egyptian mythology was associated with regeneration. The mirror belongs to a set of cosmetic equipment (26.7.837a–d) that includes a razor and whetstone, tweezers, and a kohl tube (26.7.1447). All of these items were found in a basket placed in a tomb for the use of the owner's spirit.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1550–1458 B.C.

Medium

Bronze or copper alloy

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Purchase, Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1926